Grit, disability and life domains

Abstract:

Grit is a tendency to work strenuously to overcome challenges in the face of obstacles in order to obtain goals (Duckworth, Peterson, Matthews, & Kelly, 2007). Given the potential for disability to be an obstacle to overcome in order to obtain goals, grit is a particularly important construct to examine in individuals with disabilities. My thesis provides the first examination of grit in such individuals. Additionally, the study is the first to explore whether grit varies across different life domains. I conducted this investigation with an adapted grit scale assessing various life domains. The present study found that grit does not differ significantly across three different life domains, gender, age, and onset of disability, providing support to Duckworth and colleagues assertion that grit is a stable characteristic. This study has important implications for the adjustment and adaptation processes in individuals with disabilities.